Saudi massacres his family

A Saudi man, apparently distraught over his divorce, shot and killed 11 members of his immediate and extended family, before turning his gun on himself.

The 40-year-old man murdered his ex-wife and three daughters, as well as seven members of his sister-in-law's family before fleeing in a stolen car.

Saudi press reports said he had been contesting his wife's request for a divorce but had lost the case because she accused him of taking drugs.

The reports said all the victims - the youngest of whom was an 18-month girl - had been shot through the head at close range.

Rooftop drama

Police say they pursued the man, who was armed with two revolvers and ammunition, from the Red Sea port city to the holy city of Medina, 350 kilometres (220 miles) to the north east, where he took refuge at his mother's house, apparently snatching two more children as hostages.

He held the children on the roof of the building and threatened to kill them if police officers got close, reports said.

He committed suicide after police officers persuaded him not to harm the children, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

Regional police chief Said al-Qahtani said the police had opened an inquiry into the case.